Cancer CounselingProgram

Overview

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming – for you and your loved ones. Not only does it affect your physical health, it can affect your mental health, your spiritual health and your relationships. That’s why many people find counseling a helpful resource as they manage cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Our Cancer Counseling Program can offer you tools and support to help both you and your loved ones. The Cancer Counseling Center is located at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, but we offer counseling services at a number of Wisconsin locations state through Aurora’s Cancer Care Program. Learn more by calling 414-649-6018. Or read on for brief staff bios.

Services & Treatment

To help you and your family face cancer and fight it, we offer a wide variety of comprehensive services, including:

Individual, family and group counseling

Educational and support materials

Help with fatigue, pain, insomnia, appetite disturbances, anxiety and depression

Support groups

Spiritual care

Cancer art therapy can help you explore, confront and deal with your emotions about your diagnosis, treatment and future. Please call 414-219-4533 for art therapy services.

Meet Our Team

Julie Bryson, PhD, clinical psychologist. Dr. Bryson creates a healing environment for her cancer patients and their loved ones. She strives to discover and build on the strengths and resources the patient already has to help them cope. She graduated magna cum laude in psychology from Marquette University in Milwaukee and earned her master's and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Deana Johnson, PsyD, LPC, licensed professional counselor. At the Aurora Womens’ Pavillion, Dr. Johnson facilitates the “All About Living” cancer support group and provides outpatient services to individuals, couples and families in the Behavioral Health Clinic. Areas of focus for Dr. Johnson include working with individuals receiving treatment for cancer, seeking bariatric surgery, managing a chronic health condition, or those who find themselves challenged by infertility or recurrent miscarriage.

Jeffrey Lauzon, PhD, clinical psychologist. Dr. Lauzon has experience in clinical research, teaching and health education, as well as therapy. Specialties include work with cardiac, MS, obesity, and cancer patients and their families. He also works with bariatric surgery patients and with patients and families suffering with chronic illness, health-related issues, stress, anxiety and depression.

Rina Patel, MD, psychiatrist. Dr. Patel provides psychiatric assessment and medication management for older adults. She also specializes in geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Patel has been working with patients with cancer since 2006.

Vani Ray, MD, physician. Dr. Ray is a board-certified physician with special expertise in the treatment of psychiatric patients with co-existing medical issues, pregnancy and postpartum depression. Dr. Ray received her medical schooling in India and her residency training at Sinai Samaritan Medical Center, where she was elected chief resident and chosen as Outstanding Resident of the Year. She is also a recipient of the Pfizer Resident of the Year Award.